CE praises Hong Kong athletes for their performance at London Olympics

15.08.2012

The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, today (August 15) officiated at the celebration reception for the Hong Kong athletes in praise of their performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The celebration reception was held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC).

At the reception, the Chief Executive; the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing; and the President of the SF&OC, Mr Timothy Fok, presented certificates of appreciation to the Hong Kong athletes in recognition of their impressive performance in the Olympic Games.

Speaking at the celebration reception, Mr Leung offered his warmest congratulations to the Hong Kong athletes on their fruitful achievements in the London 2012 Olympic Games. He commended the Hong Kong delegation for striving for excellence and demonstrating the can-do spirit of Hong Kong with their exemplary performance in the Games.

The Chief Executive said that he and the people of Hong Kong are all proud of the athletes because of the courage, perseverance and high morale they displayed at the Olympic Games.

Mr Leung noted that the HKSAR Government has already earmarked $1.8 billion to redevelop the Hong Kong Sports Institute and will provide comprehensive sports facilities in the Kai Tak Development at East Kowloon.

He said the Government will also help elite athletes establish their professional image and social status. To help them focus on training, thereby allowing them to perform at their best in competitions, support is also available in education and employment before and after their retirement from competition.

Also speaking at the reception, Mr Fok congratulated the Hong Kong athletes on their successful participation in the Games. He said that their fighting strength in the arena had displayed the dauntless will and indomitable spirit of the Hong Kong people.

The London 2012 Olympic Games were concluded successfully on August 12. The HKSAR sent its largest delegation since 1997 for the Games. The delegation consisted of 86 members, with 42 athletes competing in 13 events and achieving remarkable results.

In addition to cyclist Lee Wai-sze's bronze medal-winning performance in the women’s keirin, Hong Kong athletes also made the semi-finals in the men’s table tennis team event and the quarter-finals in the women’s table tennis team event, and Jiang Tianyi reached the quarter-finals in the table tennis men’s singles. Yip Pui-yin also reached the quarter-finals of the badminton women’s singles.

Also attending today’s reception were the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Raymond Young; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung; the Hon Secretary General of the SF&OC, Mr PANG Chung; and the Chef de Mission of the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the London Olympic Games, Ms Vivien Lau.